Honestly, I don’t remember how I landed on the idea of island hopping in the US Virgin Islands (USVI).
The original plan was to visit St. Thomas just long get some of those famous white sand beaches and all-inclusive resorts without leaving the US.
Anyway, I visited several of the islands thanks to the public ferry and my incredible multi-island boat tour. Reaching the unspoiled beaches of St. John and Water Island is easy, with options for every budget.
The largest island, St. Croix, wasn’t near as easy to get to. Some of the smaller islands, like Lovango Cay, I literally could not have experienced without my tour or a private charter.
I’ve broken down exactly how to get between each island, so you don’t have to learn as you go like I did.
Here’s how to travel between the US Virgin Islands–
How to get to the US Virgin Islands
Your US Virgin Island adventure will likely start in St. Thomas unless you’re visiting by cruise ship.
You will need to take an additional vehicle to get to any of the other USVIs. Common layovers are Miami or Fort Lauderdale and sometimes Puerto Rico.
Moving between Islands in the USVI
Ferry
The passenger ferries service St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island. This will be your least expensive option. See the schedule.
Water Taxi
Water taxis give you private, personalized transportation between the islands on your schedule. This service is convenient but pricey.
Charter Boat
Staying on one island but want to take day trips to the others? Consider doing a day charter or renting a boat with a captain, crew/tour guides. I took this tour that included food and cocktails.
Airplane
Cape Air runs a daily service between the 3 major islands of St. Thomas. St. John, and St. Croix. Flights are half an hour in a tiny 9-seat plane.
Spirit and a few smaller airlines also fly this route, but Cape Air is usually the most affordable option.
Car Barge
Traveling between St. Thomas and St. John is possible with your car!
A car barge (car ferry) takes vehicles between St. Thomas and St. John! The driver and passengers ride along with the vehicle too. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using the car barge. Note: You can only transport vehicles between St. Thomas and St. John, not any of the other islands.
Seaplane
Seaborne Airlines runs a seaplane from St. Thomas to St. Croix only.
Pro tip: To prevent a 1st world crisis, consider a floating, waterproof phone case when traveling by boat.
How to get to St. Thomas
From St. John
The ferry will leave from Cruz Bay in St. John to Red Hook in St. Thomas every hour and is about $16 round trip.
Charlotte Amalie also has a much more limited ferry service to Cruz Bay. Check out the schedules.
From St. Croix
St. Croix is the largest island and also the furthest out. Getting to and from St. Croix will be the biggest leap on your island hopping tour of all the USVI.
Here are your options–
- Seaplane
- Ferry
- Airplane
How to get to St. Croix
From St. Thomas
Remember, St. Croix is the furthest out of the US Virgin Islands, so getting there requires pre-planning.
- The fastest way to get to St. Croix is by Seaplane or airplane.
- The most budget-friendly way is the ferry, but the service runs irregularly. Double-check all times and dates.
From St. John
There are no direct ferries or flights from St. John to St. Croix. One of the ports in St. Thomas will be your middleman between the islands.
How to get to St. John
Two-thirds of St. John is protected by The Virgin Islands National Park, keeping its beaches and lush trails in their pristine condition with very little commercialism.
Basically, a trip to St. John is essential for any US Virgin Island vacation. Here’s how to get there-
From St. Thomas
The most cost-effective options are the passenger ferries that run every hour. If you’re bringing a car with you, 2 different companies run car barges:
From St. Croix
There are no direct routes from St. John to St. Croix. You must depart from one of the ports in St. Thomas.
How to get to Water Island
How to get to Water Island
No island-hopping adventure in the USVI would be complete without Water Island!
Often called the 4th Central Virgin Island, Water Island gets its name from the freshwater ponds once found there. Many nearby islands lacked drinking water, so pirates would get their water supplies from these ponds.
Even today, Water Island has no cars, safaris, or taxis and is home to about 200 residents. This translates to rugged and undisturbed forests and calm, clear beaches.
Getting to Water Island
You can travel between St. Thomas and Water Island using a ferry or a private water taxi/boat. Bring your own snorkel gear, as there are limited if any, rental options on Water Island.
Check the ferry schedule.
How to get to the smaller US Virgin Islands
Don’t underestimate the beauty of the smaller, not-so-famous islands.
I enjoyed some of the best snorkeling of my life at Lovango Cay. Saba Island is a hot spot for bird observation and underwater exploration, with its numerous shipwrecks and coral reefs.
The easiest way to see these smaller islands is with a boat tour (I took this one).
Alternatively, you could hire a private charter boat or water taxi.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ferry service cash only?
Thankfully, the ferry service in the USVI is not cash only. You can use a card for a small convenience fee.
Does the ferry service run on major holidays?
The ferry to St. John does operate on holidays, but the service to Water Island does not run on some holidays. Always double-check the ferry schedule for more details.
Are reservations required for the ferry service?
You do not need a reservation for the St.Thomas ferry service unless you have a large group. You can buy tickets online here.
I’m landing late in St. Thomas and will miss the last ferry to St. John or Water Island.
What are my options?
Landing late in St. Thomas? You have two options:
- Stay in a hotel on St. Thomas and catch the ferry on the next day of service.
- Take a water taxi.
What kind of sunscreen is allowed in the USVI?
The USVI requires that all sunscreens be reef safe’ meaning they don’t contain the 3 Toxic Os (oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene).
I pack this hydrating, non-oily, reef-safe sunscreen because my skin reacts to everything.
Bonus: It doesn’t smell like doesn’t smell like sunscreen.
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Did you find this guide useful on your island hopping adventure in the USVI?
Let me know in the comments below, or tag me on social media!
